The Volume Oscillator displays the difference between two moving averages of a
security's volume. The difference between the
moving averages can be expressed in either points or percentages.

Interpretation

You can use the difference between two moving averages of volume to determine if the
overall volume trend is increasing or decreasing. When the Volume Oscillator rises above
zero, it signifies that the shorter-term volume moving average has risen above the
longer-term volume moving average, and thus, that the short-term volume trend is higher
(i.e., more volume) than the longer-term volume trend.

There are many ways to interpret changes in volume trends. One common belief is that
rising prices coupled with increased volume, and falling prices coupled with decreased
volume, is bullish. Conversely, if volume increases when prices fall, and volume decreases
when prices rise, the market is showing signs of underlying weakness.

This chart shows a healthy pattern. When prices were moving higher, as shown by rising
linear regression trendlines, the Volume Oscillator was also rising. When prices were
falling, the Volume Oscillator was also falling.

Calculation

The Volume Oscillator can display the difference between the two moving averages as either
points or percentages. To see the difference in points, subtract the longer-term moving
average of volume from the shorter-term moving average of volume:

To display the difference between the moving averages in percentages, divide the
difference between the two moving averages by the shorter-term moving average: